Posts

Showing posts with the label allisa.james@futurenet.com (Allisa James)

HP EliteBook X review: can it stand up to the 'most powerful' AI laptop claims?

Image
The HP EliteBook X was easily one of the highlights of the HP Imagine 2024 event , showcasing that despite the tech giant launching high-performing AI PCs with the latest in AI-powered CPUs and NPUs, it's not satisfied resting on its laurels. Instead, HP continues to push the envelope in terms of specs and performance, attempting to give us the best laptop on the market. The EliteBook X was touted as the "most powerful AI device" available right now and, judging from the specs that HP has provided us with, I'm inclined to agree. At the very least, this AI PC outfitted with an AMD chip does feel like an evolution in terms of design as well as hardware. HP EliteBook X: price and availability As of right now, we don't have either an official price point, release date, or availability for the HP EliteBook X. However, judging from previous HP AI PCs, the laptop should be available in the US, UK, and Australia at the very least. HP EliteBook X: specs Here are the...

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% review: reaching customization Nirvana

Image
Ahead of RazerCon 2024, I was able to try out several upcoming products from the manufacturer. While all of them were quite impressive, I'm most excited about its brand new gaming keyboard model, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%. I was able to briefly test out the standard keyboard model, hear from popular tech industry professionals about their own experiences with modding it, and try out those modded versions for myself. Judging from what I have seen so far, this will easily be one of the  best gaming keyboards  and  the best keyboards in general. Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Price & availability The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is $299.99 / £299.99 / AU$499.95 and has excellent availability as it's available in the US, UK, and Australia as well as several other regions. It's pretty expensive compared to its competition, even one as high quality as this one. This is clearly a hobbyist's keyboard since the average user would balk at paying such a high entry pri...

Dell XPS 13 9345 review: the best XPS 13 ever

Image
Dell XPS 13: Two-minute review The Dell XPS 13 is generally a pretty good series of laptops, usually scoring a four out of five stars rating, though 2022's Dell XPS 13 Plus received a lower score thanks to build quality issues. But how does the latest one stack up, equipped with the powerful Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite CPU? Quite well actually, as it's now one of the best Windows laptops and best laptops of the year, coupling its already stellar design and portability with much-improved battery life and performance. The design is sleek and smooth as you'd come to expect from the XPS line, starting at a mere 2.59 pounds and measuring only 14.8 mm thin. Thankfully, this version also has a high build quality made from machined (CNC) aluminum, ensuring that it can withstand punishment and the daily wear and tear of commutes. It's available in Platinum or Graphite with a lovely finish that's surprisingly fingerprint-resistant. (Image credit: Future) ...

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024) review: a great, if not mind-blowing, refresh

Image
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Five-minute review In early 2023 I reviewed Google's first dedicated gaming Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE , and it changed my mind about Chromebooks and gaming. So I was excited to get my hands on the long-awaited refresh, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024). The Chromebook has been upgraded in every meaningful way, from the display to the specs, and even has new AI features included for those looking to double it as a productivity machine. Unfortunately, there are a few aspects that have been left in the dust in the meantime, which could impact whether this is a truly robust refresh worth reinvesting in if you already have the original model. The screen is a 16-inch IPS display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution and 350 nits of brightness. The refresh rate is a lovely 120Hz, making it perfect for most video games, while the sRGB 100% color gamut pairs well with the Chromebook's AI tools for creative and editing projects.  It's good ...

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review: makes me believe in the Surface series again

Image
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7: Two-minute review It's no secret that I'm not fond of the Microsoft Surface Laptop series, so even with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip and all the new Copilot+ AI bells and whistles attached to the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, I wasn't expecting much of an upgrade. But to my surprise, it's quickly turning into one of the best Windows laptops and best laptops of the year thanks to a sleek design, solid battery life, and excellent performance. One of the most consistent aspects of the Surface Laptop series is its design. The chassis is always sleek and lightweight yet sturdy, there's a nice variety of colors to choose from, and the keyboard feels snappy and responsive while typing. Thankfully, the Laptop 7 doesn't change on that front but instead embraces its positives while focusing its efforts on enacting improvements it actually needs. (Image credit: Future) The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 boasts a 13.8-inch (2304x1...

Samsung Odyssey OLED G60SD/G80SD: two exciting new entries in the gaming monitor market

Image
Several monitors were showcased at the Samsung Wonders Unlocked event, with two of them gaming-oriented. In recent years, the manufacturer has really stepped up its gaming monitor game, with the Odyssey series nearly always delivering on display quality and performance as some of the best gaming monitors out there. I tested two of the latest in the Odyssey series – the Odyssey OLED G60SD and the Odyssey OLED G80SD – to see how these iterations hold up. So far, I've been very pleased with the results. Not only do they look great, but they offer plenty of upgrades, quality-of-life additions, and improved specs to justify the steep price - especially the HDR 10 support, which was stunning to witness. Odyssey OLED G60SD: price and availability The Odyssey OLED G series has two models: the 27-inch Odyssey OLED G60SD and the 32-inch Odyssey OLED G80SD. The G60SD is available for preorder on the Samsung online store at $899.99 / £799 / AU$1,499, while the G80SD is priced at $1,299....

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x 14: A promising marriage of AI and hardware

Image
Lenovo has a new line of laptops featuring Qualcomm chips, meant to handle the workload of AI tools and features while maintaining both performance and battery life. The Yoga Slim 7x 14 is the manufacturer's consumer offering, and it's shaping up to be an excellent one. From my limited time with the laptop, I can tell you it has a relatively thin and light chassis (though the commercial offering was surprisingly lighter), yet feels sturdy. It's a portable, practical machine, which most office workers and students are sure to appreciate. The specs are also impressive from what we're seeing right now though, depending on the final performance findings, we'll see just how much of a difference the Snapdragon CPU makes. This could be the deciding factor as to whether the Yoga Slim 7x 14 could even be one of the best laptops . Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x 14: Price and availability The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x 14 was revealed just before Computex 2024. Hopefully, we'll find ou...